Jordan J. Ballor

Jordan J. Ballor (Dr. theol., University of Zurich; PhD, Calvin Theological Seminary) is director of research at the Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy at First Liberty Institute.

Posts by Jordan J. Ballor

May 24, 2005

To infinity and beyond

Antimatter warp drives: “A long way off.” LiveScience brings us their top 10 “ways to run the 21st century,” a review of possibilities for energy sources in the new millennium. Of the top 3, only nuclear power is currently feasible as a large-scale source of energy. Continue Reading...
May 24, 2005

‘A More Sophisticated View of Politics’

I have only yet read an excerpt of Ron Sider’s new book, The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience: Why Are Christians Living Just Like the Rest of the World? (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2005), but much of what he says concerning the church in America strikes me as true. Continue Reading...
May 24, 2005

2005 Commencement address at Calvin College

An excerpt: The history of forming associations dedicated to serving others is as old as America, itself. From abolition societies and suffrage movements to immigrant aid groups and prison reform ministries, America’s social entrepreneurs have often been far ahead of our government in identifying and meeting the needs of our fellow countrymen. Continue Reading...
May 23, 2005

The Public Square: On Ordered Liberty

From First Things, June/July 2005, No. 154, p. 69 The Public Square: A Survey of Religion and Public Life • Rome Diary, etc., Richard John Neuhaus • Of the thousands of books that deserve a review, relatively few get reviewed here or elsewhere. Continue Reading...
May 23, 2005

The Public Square: “Civic friendship”

From First Things, June/July 2005, No. 154, p. 68 The Public Square: A Survey of Religion and Public Life • Rome Diary, etc., Richard John Neuhaus • “Civic friendship.” What a beautiful idea, but in our rancorous political climate some might be excused for thinking it is a pipe dream. Continue Reading...
May 23, 2005

Technology imperialists at the forefront

This Wired News article examines the European outrage at Google’s announced plans to digitize the holdings of all the world’s libraries. “There is a growing awareness in continental Europe of the technology gap, even with some of the very good technologies they have had, of companies like Google, like Microsoft, like Apple … which are presented as almost technology imperialists at the forefront,” said Jonathan Fenby, a former Observer editor and author of France on the Brink. Continue Reading...
May 23, 2005

Capitalism and Catholic social teaching

Rev. Robert Sirico responded over the weekend in the Detroit News to a letter disputing one of his previous columns. In “Catholic social teaching embraces markets,” (May 21) Rev. Sirico writes that “the fact that the church has no economic models to propose is not the same as saying all economic models are the same. Continue Reading...
May 23, 2005

Prayer for all Christians in their vocation

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of thy faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all members of thy holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve thee; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, now and forever. Continue Reading...
May 20, 2005

Book smarts vs. street smarts

Many may know that the season finale of The Apprentice was broadcast last night, with the conclusion being a victory for the “Book Smarts” team (college educated or higher) over the “Street Smarts” team (high school only). Continue Reading...
May 20, 2005

The art of movie piracy

I recently watched a rerun of Seinfeld, in which Jerry becomes entangled with a movie bootlegger, and finds out that he has a gift for movie piracy. Jerry’s talent would be the cure for what this Slashdot poster complains about: “I’ve yet to find a blockbuster movie that isn’t readily available on the net after it opens, but somehow this is still news. Continue Reading...